Chapter II: How To Grow Gracefully (Teenager)
Of all the physical attributes a young girl may possess good posture should lead, because it's the one thing everyone can have. When you enter a room, good carriage establishes in the viewer's mind that you have self-confidence. Good posture will enhance the beauty of the simplest outer garments.
The best aid for keeping shoulders erect is to wear a good-fitting all-cotton brassiere (cotton straps too) for everyday wear. A growing girl whose body changes constantly needs the maximum breast support, regardless of her daily activities. Many short bras today in all fabric, have two to four inches of elastic at the center back. In a correctly-fitted bra, the back is always lower than the uplifted breasts to avoid any constriction on, or friction of the breasts.
The bottom of the brassiere must rest on the rib cage, never on the breasts, with each breast fully in its own cup. Both sides of the human body are not identical, therefore it is not unusual that one breast be larger than the other. Always fit bra cup to the larger side. Depending on the amount of difference, the smaller breasts' cup can be fitted with a half pad or full pad which come in various sizes. For final check, always put on a dress. The mirror will reveal if correct results were achieved. Never fit bra cup to the smaller breast.
In the teenager, it's wise to check bra size and cup every six months, or at least every time new bras are needed; once a year, at least, even if you have many bras. It's not unusual to change size twice in one year, and then go several years without changing in bra size, cup size, or both.
For the growing girl who is full breasted, and needs D, DD or E cup, a bra without any elastic is preferable in order to avoid breaks in the tissue and breasts stretching.
To prevent the breasts from sagging even a little, during the formative years there should be no vibration of the breasts, regardless of size, than of the overall body.
During the monthly period, some girls' breasts swell by a size, and so it is advisable to wear a larger cup for the duration, and sleep in the bra to avoid extreme sensitiveness.
You will be surprised how well a bra stays put when it fits properly, and at the improvement in appearance and comfort.
STAND ERECT WHEN PUTTING YOUR BRASSIERE ON. After slipping your arms through the straps, cup up the breasts and fasten the lowest hook and eye. Adjust each breast so its nipple is in the peak of the cup of bra, this centralizes each breast and keeps the bra from ever shifting; straighten straps and finish hooking up.
The other type of bra needed is the occasional-wear, strapless. The short (bandeau) is only functional on the A and B cup in a size 30 or 32 and for those under age 15. As the womanly curves develop, either the longline bra or torso length (with garters ) is more comfortable and stays put.
In strapless bras the support and firm fit of the midriff must be accurate. Therefore, your waist measure must be taken into account when fitting. For example a 34 B in long-line or torso length would be 29 inches under the bust and 27 inches at the waist. Should your waist be 25 inches, then 2 inches must be taken in (on either style) otherwise the garment will not stay put, aud the breasts will tend to push the bra down. See "How to Measure for Bras." For those girls who have full hips, the torso model will be the better style for fit and comfort.
If the choice is the torso length (there is also a full length strapless for those who wear sheath style clothes ) , fasten the garters and sit in a straight-backed chair to make sure that bones are correct length. Bones must clear the lap by an inch, so that they will not buckle or poke under the breasts if too long; or if too short show through outerwear, while sulking too deeply into the waist.
And now for the very popular but controversial panty girdle. For the young girl who wears socks, or pants, this style is alright long as it fits in the thigh/derriere area. The panty is marked by waist measure, but generally does not allow for more than 10 inches in the thigh/derriere over the waist, unless specified. It is unhealthy and restricts circulation if too small in the seat area. See "How to Measure for Panty Girdles."
For everyday wear, if you wear hose, a 4 to 12 inch garter belt, or a waist cincher with garters is more sanitary and considerably healthier for the growing girl. With either of these you have complete leg freedom, especially if you sit many hours daily, and much less chance of starting to develop a midriff roll. If you're inclined to slouch, the cincher will do wonders for your waist and posture. Don't make a daily habit of a panty girdle. Eventually it will be more difficult to break.
Continue to
Chapter III: How To Grow Gracefully (Years 20-40)
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Last updated May 29, 1997